Hurricane Research Division
Mission Statement

The Hurricane Research Division's (HRD) mission is to advance the
understanding and prediction of hurricanes and other tropical
weather. HRD's research is based on a combination of computer
models, theories, and observations, with particular emphasis on
data obtained with research aircraft.

Field Research

Much of HRD's research is based on the in situ and
remotely-sensed observations in the inner core of tropical
cyclones and their surrounding environment collected in our
annual field program
using the two NOAA turboprop aircraft
and jet operated by NOAA's
Aircraft Operations Center (AOC). The
field program is used to carry out scientific experiments
designed to address the goals stated above. Data sets gathered by
these experiments, combined with dynamical and statistical models
and theoretical development, span the spectrum of spatial and
temporal scales, from global to microscale, from seconds to
centuries, forming the cornerstone of research at HRD. Because of
this extensive field experience HRD scientists are recognized
internationally for their knowledge about tropical cyclones, and
also for their expertise in technological areas such as airborne
Doppler radar, dropsondes, cloud microphysics, and air-sea
interaction, to name a few. These assets make HRD unique
worldwide, and provide NOAA a unique capability.